Thursday, 4 August 2011

This was the message to the people of Chester on Sunday 31st July 2011. A group of us descended on the City Centre (taking advantage of Race Day) to promote Welshot Imaging. Our numbers consisted of Welshot Team Leaders, Welshot Members, Professional Photographers, Models, Make-up artist and Hair stylist.

We took over the "cross" area of the City from 10am until around 2pm generating lots of crowds and interest as we proceeded to take pictures of 5 stunning models. Several Welshot Members (me included) were given the opportunity to attend the event and as well as take pictures of the models we were being given expert knowledge and guidance from Professional Photographers.

I was lucky enough to get some one-to-one tuition and guidance from Zoe Richards of Zoe Photography based in Liverpool. To get an opportunity like this is fantastic and would not be possible without the hard work and professionalism of Welshot.

We also had Eifion WIlliams (Welshot Professional) and Will Cheung FRPS (editor of Advanced Photographer Magazine) on hand to provide their knowledge and expertise.

After entertaining most of the race-goers as they made their way down to the course we packed up and headed for lunch. Whoever said there is no such thing as a free lunch is a liar. I got to learn from professionals, take pictures of 5 different models, have lunch and meet a bunch of fantastic people all for free.

We finished off the day with a further shoot in Westminster Park. This for me was the icing on the cake as everything I had been learning was falling into place and this session is where I took my best pictures.

There was so much to learn other than just taking pictures I didn't want the day to end. But unfortunately we did have to wrap it up and head home for some post processing.

If you have an interest in Photography then I strongly suggest that you visit the Welshot site to see what they have to offer. As well as the many benefits of being a member you'll have access to a vast array of knowledge and experience. You can do it all on-line via the forums or you can attend the evening sessions held once a month at various locations where you can meet the Welshot gang and other members in person. Then there are the 1-day / 2-day workshops covering specific genres or techniques.

Through the Welshot experience I was able to attend this promotional day for free and I'm sure this will lead to many more opportunities. So, if you love photography....join us.

Monday, 1 August 2011

The End.....16 Months on and I now have my diploma. (actually finished in May, just late writing this post)

It's been a worthwhile journey as I have learned so much about photography and about what I want to do as a photographer. The Diploma itself wasn't what I was after it was more about the knowledge and experience I would gain from this process.

When I first started looking at courses there were so many to choose from and some carried academic qualifications officially recognised etc and others didn't. I looked beyond that and went for a course that had the content that appealed to me. The Diploma was an added benefit I guess, however, in the real world I'm not sure flashing my Diploma is going to get me any further than were I am today. The knowledge and experience I have gained not just from the Institute and the course but from my own journey is much more valuable to me.

The final Assignment is an ongoing process with no end date. I have started on the next part of my photographic journey and even though I have learned many things there is one important lesson that stands out above all of them.

No matter what happens in the future I will never improve as a photographer unless I keep taking photographs. Not just any old photographs, I need to focus on my chosen genre and then push myself as hard as I can. Being in my comfort zone isn't going to get me anywhere nor dropping out of my comfort zone now and then either. Each challenge I set myself from this point forward has to be out of my comfort zone and to a further extent than the previous one.

I am working on a set of goals for the next 12-24 months. Once finalised I will post then here and then provide updates. By doing this in public there is more chance I will actually do it :-)